It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon. Lord Chesterfield More Quotes by Lord Chesterfield More Quotes From Lord Chesterfield There is nothing that people bear more impatiently, or forgive less, than contempt: and an injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult. Lord Chesterfield insult-to-injury forgiving people Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Lord Chesterfield time motivational inspirational As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless. Lord Chesterfield fathers-day inspirational funny I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide; for the man is effectually destroyed, though the appetites of the brute may survive. Lord Chesterfield suicide men looks Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young, it will give us no shade when we grow old. Lord Chesterfield age education giving Most people enjoy the inferiority of their best friends. Lord Chesterfield funny-friend best-friend friendship There is time enough for everything in the course of the day if you do but one thing once; but there is not time enough in the year if you will do two things at a time. Lord Chesterfield time two years Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should. Lord Chesterfield rags dirt dresses Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another. Lord Chesterfield shining men people I am very sure that any man of common understanding may, by culture, care, attention, and labor, make himself what- ever he pleases, except a great poet. Lord Chesterfield understanding men culture Custom has made dancing sometimes necessary for a young man; therefore mind it while you learn it, that you may learn to do it well, and not be ridiculous, though in a ridiculous act. Lord Chesterfield ballet dancing men Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you. Lord Chesterfield pleasure doe giving The difference between a man of sense and a fop is that the fop values himself upon his dress; and the man of sense laughs at it, at the same time he knows he must not neglect it. Lord Chesterfield differences laughing men To govern mankind, one must not overrate them. Lord Chesterfield mankind The rich are always advising the poor, but the poor seldom return the compliment. Lord Chesterfield comeback return advice Take the tone of the company you are in... Lord Chesterfield tone conformity advice Swift speedy time, feathered with flying hours, Dissolves the beauty of the fairest brow. Lord Chesterfield hours flying time Let them show me a cottage where there are not the same vices of which they accuse the courts. Lord Chesterfield cottages court vices If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself. Lord Chesterfield persuasion conviction convincing Let your enemies be disarmed by the gentleness of your manner, but let them feel at the same time the steadiness of your just resentment for there is a great difference between bearing malice, which is always ungenerous, and a resolute self-defense which is ever prudent and justifiable. Lord Chesterfield resentment time enemy
